Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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India wildlife camp, Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary, independent reviews
 Reviewed 1 Oct 2009 by Philippa Marland |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary - It is difficult to pick the most memorable part of our stay at the Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary. The campsite setting is peaceful and set in a beautiful landscape. The safari tours, especially the night tours showed us jungle cats, steppe wildcats, desert foxes and gazelles. Two beautiful moments from the safaris stand out; a large owl flying down off the rocks near the campsite and a leopard slinking down the rocks on the hillside. It was also a privilege to be taken to the local villages to see local craftsmen at work and to attend a community ceremony. Fort Dhariyawad was also a beautiful place to stay and though we were unable to go deep into the Jungle we did get to see a flying squirrel - another memorable moment.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have a good camera with plenty of battery life and memory/film I used a portrait lens and was able to achieve some impressive pictures even on the night safaris - but a longer lens would have been even better.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It is possible to see how much the wildlife reserve has benefited since the tours have been set up - the abundance of wildlife is quite astonishing. Also the local people are being educated about the eco-system and provided with alternative means for getting fire wood.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a truly amazing holiday, we were looked after as if we were royalty by our hosts Gajendra and Ravi and wanted for nothing from the moment we were picked up at Jodhpur airport. We would love to go back and take a longer holiday to see more and to see our new friends again.
| Reviewed 6 Nov 2009 by Yvonne Rijsdijk | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing all three cat species that live savely in the sanctuary was amazing (they where the reason for me wanting to go there). Jungle cat from up 15 m! The rare Asian steppe wildcat from a somewhat greater distance and finally the leopard from up close (about 12 m or so) resting on its favourite rock in the stillness and darkness of the evening! What a sight it was! But of course seeing so many other species and animal tracks as well, like a baby zird sitting in the bushes and a beautiful little hedgehog, they where very closed, just a meter or so.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for as many days you can and do many night safaries. Not one evening is the same! Take binoculars with you; it enhances your expierence for sure. Listen to the sounds - by just listening you hear so many new and interesting sounds.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes very much so. Local people are involved in many different ways. From people working on the campsite to the people who track the animals; they are involved and very much appreciated. I was impressed by their hospitality and the way they made me feel welcome. Also with the wonderful accomodations; they are built with local stone blocks and other natural materials available and instead of using electricity or oil lamps for lighting; energy saving LED-lights units are at hand and they are powered by rechargable batteries so they last almost forever because theay are so efficient. You could carry them with you and have light at hand and most importantly; these lights do not disturbe the animals at all.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just great! I have had the most wonderful time.